The complainant's friend told the court she saw bruises on the victim in the days after the assault. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Warning: This story contains graphic details of sexual violence
A woman has described the night she says she was sexually assaulted in a flat as another two people watched.
A man is facing trial in the Christchurch district court on a charge of sexual violation following a night out at the Christchurch bar Mama Hooch five years ago.
The first day of the trial got under way on Monday in front of Judge Paul Mabey.
The man's case follows the trial of three other associates on dozens of charges including rape, sexual violation, indecent assault and drink-spiking.
The man, who has interim name suppression, has pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The woman, who also has suppression, alleges she was assaulted on the man's couch as an unknown man and woman watched on.
It followed a night out with a friend in the central city on 4 August, 2018.
A video of the woman's statement to police, about a month after the night in question, played to the court.
The woman then took the witness stand where she recounted what she could remember of the night.
She told the court that she and her friend had visited multiple bars in the central city, including Mama Hooch.
The pair returned back to the Colombo Street bar and restaurant later that night.
The woman said she spoke to a former work colleague before her friend went home.
"After that point, things become hard to remember," the court heard.
She recalled leaving the bar with an unknown man, and getting into a black car, although she does not recall the drive.
"I remember approaching the car, falling over as I was getting into the car, I don't remember the conversation"
The court heard how she found herself lying on the man's couch, wearing "nothing but her t-shirt".
"He had his hand between my legs," she said.
Another man allegedly watched on while another young woman who appeared "emotionless" was sitting at the opposite end of the couch.
She reflected on waking up the next day in the man's bed, before another man entered the room, got into bed and began to touch her.
"He started groping and spooning me in bed.
"I didn't know why I was there, or what I was doing, it was a different feeling."
Feeling "sedate" and "disorientated", she pushed away the man's advances at least three times, the court heard.
She told police that she felt "embarrassed" as she gathered her clothes, and left the property and became visibly upset that she "lost control".
The woman said that she found it hard to concentrate and felt "spaced out" in the days after.
"My memory wasn't great until Wednesday."
The complainant's friend also gave evidence in court and spoke about seeing bruises on her friends arms and legs, a few days after the alleged incident.
Detective Danny Schaare also gave evidence, including txt and Viber messaging correspondence between the defendant and associates.
The content of the messages was too graphic for RNZ to publish.
Another two witnesses will give evidence on Tuesday.
Last week two men, whose names remain suppressed as a result of a High Court appeal, were convicted of 68 charges following a two-month, judge-alone trial.
The pair will be sentenced in July.
A third man was acquitted on all but a minor drug charge.
Where to get help:
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Lifeline: 0800 543 354 or text HELP to 4357
Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 / 0508 TAUTOKO (24/7). This is a service for people who may be thinking about suicide, or those who are concerned about family or friends.
Victim Support 0800 842 846
Rape Crisis 0800 88 33 00
HELP Call 24/7 (Auckland): 09 623 1700, (Wellington): 04 801 6655 - push 0 at the menu
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) 022 344 0496
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.
